Readers divided on stores opening on Thanksgiving

We asked Courier-Post readers on Facebook what they think about many big retailers not waiting until Black Friday and opening up for big sales today. We asked whether they think it's OK and smart business for stores to open, or whether it shouldn't be done because of the impact on employees and Thanksgiving being a time for them to spend with family.

Plenty of readers chimed in to express very different opinions on this; here are some of them:

Michelle DuBell: I don't think it's right. It's obviously just a way for stores to extend Black Friday so they can increase their profits. At the same time, they are denying their own employees quality time spent with their families.

Linda Davis Horafus: Not everyone has a family. Some people like the overtime pay. There are plenty of people that have to work ex. Police, hospital workers, cable employees, Internet employees because, God forbid, people's cable or Internet goes out on Christmas and they can't get their games or TV working; everybody calls in. I don't care to hear store employes complain.

LoriAnn Mecham: If you don't want to work on the hoildays, don't go into retail or any other job that has to work on the hoildays.

Catherine Driehorst Cordner Gotti: Stores are just money hungry! I personally think it stinks! I'm not going near a store all weekend! Thanksgiving is for family.

Let the employees enjoy their families and open early Friday morning!

Sandi Dickinson: The only way to stop it is for people to decide that spending time with their loved ones is more important that getting the newest toy for a slightly better price and stay home. Online shopping is just as good on Black Friday.

Dennis Vanderslice: It hurts the people that travel on that and cannot get home in time to stand in line. The sales on Black Friday really helps us save money and we cannot take advantage of the sales this year.

Roxanne Terramagra: This is over the top consumerism. We aren't even given a day off to sit back and relax before the craziness of the holidays begin. Plus, to make your employees work this day, it's sad.

Are the CEOs working?

Edward McLaughlin: It's a sad state of affairs we have turned into such a money grubbing society.

When I was young, everything was closed on Sundays also. We survived. We need to get back to family time so more families survive. We need much less than we have.

Gerry Woods Estep: No. Thanksgiving is for a day with family at home, not going crazy shopping.

Stores should open early tomorrow, not be so greedy!

James Mahna Mahna Eckstein: My family lives out of state, so I don't mind working, which I actually will be on Thanksgiving. However, I think if you are going to ask employees to work on a national holiday, it is your responsibility, as a company, to pay them time and a half for their sacrifice.

Holly Johnson: I see nothing wrong with places being open. But, it should be optional for the employees and done on a volunteer basis, and then they should get holiday pay for it. (Even part-timers should get something extra.)

Diane Reuter: Everyone's family celebrates differently - some have early dinner so family members can go share the day with other relatives afterward, for example. So festivities end early and then you have nothing more to do.

So I say it's fine. If it infringes on your family time than just don't go shop.

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Readers divided on stores opening on Thanksgiving

We asked Courier-Post readers on Facebook what they think about many big retailers not waiting until Black Friday and opening up for big sales today.